Apologies...

[Phil]

... for continually posting in the Critique section.

These are part of a series I've done for a family friend, I'm hoping to make a good impression because it'll be the first paid photography work I've done.

I was using a white backdrop that has actually turned out quite grey in the images, I was hoping it would be brighter, I think a second flash is in order. Obviously I've done the usual PS stuff, but no matter what I do it always looked false, so I've opted to stay with what came from the camera.

Be as harsh as you like, I've a very thick skin.

[Edit: I better add that no one has seen these as yet, I'm waiting for feedback  ]

[colinb]

It really is a shame about the background Phil I think most people would prefer the 'white' that most studio portraits seem to have these days. One other point for me is the horse (and to degree the green stand thing) seems to be floating off the wall rather than on the ground and again I think due to the shadow and grey background. 

I wonder if a crop off the bottom would help?

 

4.edit

[Phil]

Thanks Colin, much appreciated. Point taken re the crops

I think I've been over complicating things, it was simple enough to use a curves layer to increase the bg brightness and paint the detail back in. 

[colinb]

 

I think I've been over complicating things, it was simple enough to use a curves layer to increase the bg brightness and paint the detail back in. 

 I did try pulling it with both levels and curves - would have preferred the Raw file but that one above looks so much better

 

 

[NannyFerret]

These are lovely. Your last edit does brighten up the background a lot. 

 

[ChrisLumix]

I'm not so sure about the first shot, but all the others are winners in my book (except for the background effect you've pointed out).

Does this look natural or unnatural to your eyes? It does need more work but may be closer to what you wanted?

 

[Phil]

Does this look natural or unnatural to your eyes? It does need more work but may be closer to what you wanted?

I appreciate you're working with a low-re s file but I do get the idea.

Have to say that I'm torn. I'm not sure I'm comfortable with the lack of shadow, but it does seem to be the modern way.

[ChrisLumix]

I appreciate you're working with a low-re s file but I do get the idea.

Have to say that I'm torn. I'm not sure I'm comfortable with the lack of shadow, but it does seem to be the modern way.

I could have left a faint 'wall shadow' in place, though I feel the rocking horse feet need full shadow or it really WOULD look weird.